Largest Religion

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Progress

Introduction / History

The Karaite form of Judaism is so strange that Russian Tsars categorized them as non-Jews. So did the Nazis. Thus, they escaped Russia's pogroms and the Nazi holocaust. But Karaites know they are true Jews. They follow only the Tanach, the Jewish Bible, rejecting rabbinic interpretations. They allow each believer to make his/her own interpretation. Unlike most Jewish communities, men and women can exercise authority in their groups. They often prostrate themselves in prayer, which is rare for any Jewish community.

Still, the Karaites have important commonalities with mainstream Judaism. They observe the Sabbath. Karaites practice total separation from Gentiles and from ritual washing. Their prayer books come almost exclusively from Tanach passages.

But just when we think we can pigeonhole the Karaites as Orthodox Jews, they surprise us. They do not wear phylacteries attached to forehead or hand in any form. Karaites understand the Scriptures referring to these in metaphorical terms. So they hide the Word of God in their thoughts and let it guide their actions.

In other respects, Karaites tend to adopt the customs of their host country. Since most of them live in Israel, they are starting to assimilate into mainstream society, according to the internet's Wikipedia.

Prayer Points

* Pray that Messianic Jewish believers will see the Karaite community in Israel as God sees them.
* Ask God to raise up Messianic Jews to go as His ambassadors to the Karaites.